White House Blasts Ben Carson For Saying A Muslim Shouldn't Be President

The White House had harsh words for Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson Sept. 21 for saying the U.S. should not have a Muslim president.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest called Carson's comments "entirely inconsistent with the Constitution," The Washington Times reports.

"Ultimately, there will be consequences" from voters, Earnest added.

Carson said Sept. 20 that the president should be "sworn in on a stack of Bibles, not a Quran," according to The Hill.

"I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation," the retired neurosurgeon said, notes CNN. "I absolutely would not agree with that."

The presidential hopeful explained that he takes issue with Sharia, the Islamic law derived from the Quran and Islamic traditions. “Muslims feel that their religion is very much a part of your public life and what you do as a public official, and that’s inconsistent with our principles and our Constitution," he said.

Carson elaborated that he might accept a Muslim president only if they "publicly rejected all the tenants [sic] of Sharia and lived a life consistent with that. Then I wouldn't have any problem," he explained.

He would consider having a Muslim in Congress, although "it depends on who that Muslim is and what their policies are, just like it depends on what anybody else is," he said.

He has stated several times that he is against the Shiite Islamic principal of taqiyya, which permits Shiite Muslims to mislead non-Muslims about their faith if they fear religious persecution.

“Taqiyya is a component of Shia [sic] that allows, and even encourages you to lie to achieve your goals,” Carson said.

Carson has heard his fair share of criticism for his statement in several different government branches.

"I'd like him to say that to my staff member, who is Muslim, who set it up so I can be here today," Democratic Sen. Amy Kobuchar of Minnesota told CNN's Chris Cuomo.

"It's unimaginable that the leading GOP presidential candidates are resorting to fear mongering to benefit their campaigns, and every American should be disturbed that these national figures are engaging in and tolerating blatant acts of religious bigotry," said Democratic Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota, one of two Muslims in Congress.